The New York Stock Exchange hosted a delegation led by Deputy Economic Development Minister Sergei Belyakov to discuss investment opportunities during its annual Russia Day on Monday. The NYSE had announced that members of the delegation would ring the exchange's closing bell, which signals the end of the day's trading. First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov rang the bell at last year's event.

Instead, the symbolic honor on Monday went to members of an employee volunteer program in recognition of their work at the Humane Society of New York, NYSE Euronext, which runs the exchange, said on its website.

During last year's event, the Russian flag was raised on the NYSE building together with a banner announcing "2012 NYSE Russia Day."

Amid this year's protests against the Russian law, neither the flag nor any other sign commemorating Russia appeared outside the NYSE building.

"Apparently, the NYSE is embarrassed by their association with the Russian government," said Queer Nation's Duncan Osborne.